Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
May. In 2024, 2025 and 2026, GTA homes that sold in May got the highest average price of the year, about 4% to 5% above the annual average, and May 2026 had the fastest sales at 27 days. To sell in May 2027, list in mid to late April. December and January have been the weakest months.
This guide is for GTA homeowners planning a 2027 sale who want to know which month actually pays best. Instead of rules of thumb, it uses three years of TRREB sales data, month by month: how many homes sold, what they sold for, how fast they sold and how much competition sellers faced, for houses and condos.
What is the best month to sell a house in the GTA?
May. In each of the last three years, homes that sold in May fetched the highest average price of the year in the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) area, about 4% to 5% above that year’s average. May 2026 also had the highest median price and the fastest sales. June and April were close behind.
There is a catch in how the numbers are counted. TRREB counts a sale in the month the deal became firm, not the month the home was listed. In May 2026 the average sold home had been listed for 27 days. So if you want to sell in May, you need to be on the market in April, which means getting the house ready in March.
The other catch is that the year matters more than the month. The average GTA price in May 2026 was $1,069,716. In May 2024 it was $1,167,807, about 8% higher. Picking the right month helps. It does not beat the direction of the whole market.
Which months had the highest prices in 2024, 2025 and 2026?
This table compares each month’s average sale price with the average for the whole year. A plus figure means homes that sold that month did better than the year as a whole.
| Month | Sales 2024 | Sales 2025 | Sales 2026 | Price vs year average 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (Jan to Oct) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4,308 | 3,819 | 3,044 | -8.2% | -2.5% | -5.5% |
| February | 5,792 | 4,127 | 3,833 | -0.5% | +1.8% | -1.7% |
| March | 6,741 | 4,956 | 4,992 | +0.5% | +2.1% | -1.0% |
| April | 7,301 | 5,555 | 5,916 | +3.1% | +3.6% | +2.6% |
| May | 7,205 | 6,195 | 6,544 | +4.2% | +5.0% | +4.3% |
| June | 6,397 | 6,191 | 6,730 | +3.9% | +3.2% | +3.3% |
| July | 5,498 | 6,046 | 5,964 | -0.6% | -1.6% | -2.1% |
| August | 5,091 | 5,168 | 5,034 | -3.8% | -4.3% | -3.1% |
| September | 5,155 | 5,540 | 5,034 | -0.7% | -0.7% | -1.8% |
| October | 6,784 | 6,083 | 5,603 | +1.4% | -1.4% | -0.1% |
| November | 5,947 | 4,963 | not yet out | -0.9% | -2.6% | not yet out |
| December | 4,056 | 3,667 | not yet out | -5.3% | -5.8% | not yet out |
Source: TRREB Market Watch, October 2025 and October 2026 editions (monthly sales and average prices, as revised). Percentages are my own calculation: each month’s average price compared with the annual average ($1,120,244 in 2024, $1,067,707 in 2025) or the January to October 2026 average ($1,025,156).
The pattern repeats every year. Prices build from January to a peak in May, hold in June, dip through late summer, recover a little in the fall and fall back in December and January. In all three years, December or January was the weakest month for price.
One honest warning about averages: in spring, more detached houses sell, and they cost more than condos. That alone lifts the spring average. The medians and the house-only figures below show that the spring advantage is real, but smaller than the averages suggest.
How fast did GTA homes sell each month in 2026?
Price is only half the story. Sellers also care about how long they wait and how much competition they face. This table shows 2026 month by month, as TRREB first reported it.
| 2026 | Median price | New listings | Sales per 100 new listings | Sale vs list price | Avg days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $840,000 | 10,774 | 29 | 97% | 45 |
| February | $865,000 | 10,705 | 36 | 97% | 36 |
| March | $870,000 | 14,442 | 35 | 98% | 31 |
| April | $880,000 | 17,097 | 35 | 98% | 29 |
| May | $910,000 | 17,698 | 37 | 98% | 27 |
| June | $890,000 | 17,282 | 39 | 98% | 29 |
| July | $860,000 | 14,484 | 41 | 97% | 32 |
| August | $850,000 | 12,075 | 42 | 97% | 35 |
| September | $860,000 | 16,500 | 31 | 98% | 34 |
| October | $860,000 | 14,173 | 40 | 97% | 31 |
Source: TRREB Market Watch, January to October 2026 monthly editions, all home types, all TRREB areas, as first reported. Sales per 100 new listings is my calculation (monthly sales divided by monthly new listings). Days on market is the average for homes that sold.
May had the highest median ($910,000) and the quickest sales (27 days). January had the lowest median ($840,000) and the slowest sales (45 days). Sale-to-list ratios barely moved, between 97% and 98% all year, so in 2026 the season changed how long homes took more than how far below asking they sold.
Spring also brings the most competition. New listings ran above 17,000 a month from April to June. July and August had fewer new listings, so each one faced less competition, even though buyers were fewer too.
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When should you list to sell in May?
Aim to be live on the MLS in mid to late April. With homes taking about four weeks to sell in spring 2026, an April launch puts your offer date in the strongest weeks. Then add the closing period. In my experience most resale deals close 30 to 90 days after the offer, so a May sale often means a summer move. My guide to picking a closing date explains how to time that.
Work backward from launch day:
- Late January to February: get a value estimate, decide on repairs, book a pre-list inspection if your house is older.
- March: repairs, painting, decluttering, photos once the snow is gone.
- April: launch, showings and offers.
- May: firm sale, which is when TRREB counts it.
Is the best month different for houses and condos?
Yes. Detached houses follow the seasons much more closely than condo apartments.
| 2026 | Detached median | Detached days on market | Condo apartment median | Condo days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $1,110,000 | 42 | $539,900 | 51 |
| February | $1,145,000 | 33 | $550,000 | 43 |
| March | $1,155,733 | 28 | $545,000 | 39 |
| April | $1,165,000 | 26 | $540,000 | 38 |
| May | $1,185,000 | 25 | $548,900 | 34 |
| June | $1,160,000 | 25 | $540,000 | 38 |
| July | $1,102,000 | 30 | $540,500 | 40 |
| August | $1,100,000 | 33 | $530,000 | 41 |
| September | $1,100,000 | 31 | $520,000 | 42 |
| October | $1,110,000 | 29 | $528,000 | 38 |
Source: TRREB Market Watch, January to October 2026 monthly editions, detached and condo apartment tables for all TRREB areas, as first reported.
For detached houses, the gap between the best month (May, $1,185,000) and the weakest (August and September, $1,100,000) was $85,000, about 8%. Houses also sold fastest in May and June, at 25 days. That is the family market: buyers who want to move before the school year starts.
Condo apartments moved in a narrow band, from $520,000 to $550,000, and the best month was February, not May. Condos sold fastest in May, but still took 34 days. If you own a condo, timing matters less than price and presentation. My guide on how long it takes to sell a condo goes further.
Is fall a good time to sell a house in the GTA?
October, yes. September, less so. In September 2026, new listings jumped to 16,500 from 12,075 in August, as many sellers who waited out the summer listed at once. That month there were only 31 sales for every 100 new listings, the weakest ratio outside January. By October new listings had eased to 14,173 and the ratio recovered to 40.
October prices were close to the yearly average in all three years. If you miss spring, an October sale is a solid second choice, and it usually beats a rushed listing in the first weeks of September, when the most new competition arrives.
Are December and January bad months to sell?
For price, they were the weakest in the data: December averages were 5% to 6% below the yearly average in 2024 and 2025, and January 2026 was 5.5% below. Homes also sat longest in January, at 45 days.
But “worst average” does not mean “wrong for you.” Far fewer homes are listed in winter, so a well-priced house can stand out to the serious buyers who are still looking. I compare both sides in sell in December or wait for spring.
Does the best month change from city to city?
The spring peak shows up across the GTA, but not always in the same week. In Oakville, the median price for all home types peaked in May 2026 at $1,380,500. In Burlington it peaked in June at $999,000. Both cities had their lowest medians in winter or early fall.
Smaller markets have fewer sales each month, so one or two large sales can move a monthly median. For your own street, look at several months together, and at your home type, rather than one month.
Do not hold off on a needed sale only to catch May. If you would carry two homes, pay a large mortgage penalty, or let repairs slide while you wait, those costs can be bigger than a 4% seasonal edge. And spring 2027 could look different from spring 2026: the Bank of Canada raised its rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026 and its next decision is on 9 December 2026.
What could change the best month in 2027?
The seasonal shape has held for years, but the size of the spring bump depends on buyers’ confidence. In its October 2026 release, TRREB said uncertainty about inflation, borrowing costs and the economy kept many buyers on the sidelines. TRREB’s president said a Canada-U.S. trade deal and an end to the Middle East conflict could renew interest in owning a home as 2027 begins. The Bank of Canada expects housing to stay relatively weak.
My own view, and it is only a view: expect the usual spring pattern in 2027, but do not count on a strong rush. A home that is priced right in April should still do best. A home priced for a 2024-style spring will probably sit. For the bigger question of whether to sell at all, see is 2027 a good time to sell in the GTA.
If you have the choice, list a house in mid to late April 2027 and plan for a May deal. Start preparing in February so you are not rushing. If you own a condo, worry less about the calendar and more about pricing it against the units already for sale in your building. And if spring does not work for your life, October has been a reliable second window. The months that cost sellers most were the weeks of heavy new listings in September and the depths of winter, unless the home was clearly the best value on offer.
What to do next
- Decide whether you are selling a house or a condo, since houses follow the season far more.
- Pick a target month and count back about four weeks for the listing date and six to eight weeks for preparation.
- Check your mortgage term so the closing date does not trigger an avoidable penalty.
- Get a value estimate based on recent sales of homes like yours, not on last spring’s peak.
- Review the latest TRREB numbers for your city in February before you lock in the date.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to sell a house in Toronto?
May has been the best month in recent data. In 2024, 2025 and 2026, GTA homes that sold in May got the highest average price of the year, about 4% to 5% above the annual average, according to TRREB. Because TRREB counts a sale when it becomes firm, you usually need to list in April to sell in May.
When should I list my house to sell in spring 2027?
Aim to list in mid to late April 2027. In spring 2026, GTA homes that sold took about 27 to 29 days on average, so an April launch puts your offers in May, the strongest month in TRREB data. Start preparing in February so repairs, cleaning and photos are done by early April.
What is the worst month to sell a house in the GTA?
December and January have had the lowest prices. In TRREB data, December averages were 5% to 6% below the yearly average in 2024 and 2025, and January 2026 was 5.5% below. GTA homes that sold in January 2026 took 45 days on average, the slowest month of the year, though fewer competing listings can help a well-priced home.
Do houses sell for more in spring in Ontario?
In the GTA, yes, by a modest amount. TRREB data shows April to June prices running about 3% to 5% above the yearly average in 2024 to 2026. For detached houses in 2026, the May median of $1,185,000 was about 8% above the August and September median of $1,100,000. Part of the spring lift comes from more houses selling.
Is September a good month to sell a house in the GTA?
It can be, but September 2026 brought heavy competition. New listings jumped to 16,500 from 12,075 in August, and there were only 31 sales for every 100 new listings, according to TRREB. October was better, with 40 sales per 100 new listings. If you sell in fall, listing in late September or October has worked better.
Is it better to sell a condo in spring or winter in Toronto?
Season matters less for condos. In 2026, the GTA condo apartment median stayed between $520,000 and $550,000 all year, and the highest month was February, according to TRREB. Condos did sell fastest in May, at 34 days, compared with 51 days in January. Price and competition in your building matter more than the month.
How long does it take to sell a house in the GTA in 2026?
About a month. In October 2026, GTA homes that sold had been listed for 31 days on average, or 49 days counting earlier listings of the same home, according to TRREB. In 2026, detached houses sold fastest in May and June, at 25 days, and slowest in January, at 42 days.
Should I wait until spring 2027 to sell my house?
Only if waiting costs you little. Spring has brought GTA sellers about 4% to 5% more than the yearly average, but carrying costs, mortgage penalties and a weaker overall market can outweigh that. The average GTA price in May 2026 was about 8% below May 2024, so the direction of the market mattered more than the month.
What month do most houses sell in the GTA?
May and June. In 2026, the GTA recorded 6,544 sales in May and 6,730 in June, the two busiest months, according to TRREB’s October 2026 Market Watch. In 2024, April and May were busiest, with more than 7,200 sales each. January is the quietest month every year.
Sources
- TRREB Market Watch, October 2026
- TRREB Market Watch, October 2025
- TRREB Market Watch, January 2026
- TRREB Market Watch, May 2026
- TRREB Market Watch, August 2026
- TRREB Market Watch, September 2026
- Bank of Canada: Policy rate announcement, 28 October 2026
Related reading
- Seller Closing Costs in Ontario for 2027: Every Fee Before You Get Paid
- How to Sell a House in Toronto, Step by Step (2027)
- Closing Costs on a New Build in Ontario: What Builders Add
- How Much Is My House Worth in Caledon? (2027)
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.